WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) issued the following statement in reaction to the Supreme Court split decision, effectively blocking President Obama’s immigration executive actions to create the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Residents program (DAPA) and expanding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA):

“I am deeply disappointed and dismayed by the Supreme Court’s split decision that failed to provide clarity and guidance, weakens families, and forces our communities to remain in the shadows. Although the decision sets no precedent, the commonsense policies of DAPA and expanded DACA will remain blocked nationwide due to the overreach of a single district court judge in Texas.

“This decision will go down in history as a low-point in our fight for a fair and just immigration system, and will have a major impact on the lives of millions of families across the country, including U.S. citizen children that will live in fear of having their families torn apart. Let’s not forget the partisans who brought this lawsuit to intentionally keep immigrant families in the shadows. It is those who stood against these executive actions and waged this fight against family unity that should be held accountable come November.

“Today’s unexpected decision only further reminds us why we must confirm a ninth Justice to the Court: The American people deserve a decisive answer, not a hung jury. It’s time for Republicans in the U.S. Senate to do their job.

“For those of us who have fought for immigrants’ rights throughout our entire careers, this is a heart-breaking loss. But, the fight isn’t over. Our movement is strong, and I will continue fighting tooth and nail toward a permanent solution to fix our broken immigration system that benefits our nation’s security, strengthens our economy, and honors the values we have as a nation of immigrants.”